The Major Scale on the Electric Bass
On the electric bass, the major scale (do, re, mi, etc.) can be played using this pattern anywhere on the fingerboard with note number 1 starting on the E string or the A string.
This one-octave scale fingering is the most important thing to learn in the beginning. Without being familiar with this scale and its fingering, we won't be able to communicate about other musical concepts.
IMPORTANT: The note marked "1" is actually played with the 2nd finger.
This one-octave scale fingering is the most important thing to learn in the beginning. Without being familiar with this scale and its fingering, we won't be able to communicate about other musical concepts.
IMPORTANT: The note marked "1" is actually played with the 2nd finger.
Intervals are the locations of the scale steps. i.e. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. We call them the second, the third, the fourth, etc. The first note is called the tonic.
You should notice that all the intervals are always in the same location relative to 1.
Don't forget to tune your instrument before playing, otherwise none of the intervals will sound right.
You should notice that all the intervals are always in the same location relative to 1.
Don't forget to tune your instrument before playing, otherwise none of the intervals will sound right.
Memorizing the Intervals
It's important to be able to recognize the sound and location of the intervals. In other words, one should always expect to hear a certain musical sound when you put your 1st finger down where the 3rd is located, which would be the sound of a major 3rd. Here are some learning tricks used by students and professionals to remember the sounds of the intervals.
1 to 1 is a unison, as if two guitars played the open low E string together.
1 to 2 is a Major 2nd. The first two notes of Happy Birthday are a Major 2nd apart.
1 to 3 is a Major 3rd. The sound of a doorbell going "ding dong" is the sound of 3 to 1.
1 to 4 is a Perfect Fourth. The first two notes of Here Comes the Bride are a Perfect Fourth apart.
1 to 5 is a Perfect Fifth. The first three notes of the 2001 Theme are 1, 5, 8.
1 to 6 is a Major 6th. My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean, The NBC Theme, and It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (the Christmas song) are 1 to 6.
1 to 7 is a Major 7th. the first three notes of the song Bali Hai are 1, 8, 7. Also the first three notes sung by Led Zeppelin in The Immigrant Song are 1, 8, 7.
1 to 8 is an Octave. The beginning of the song, My Sharona plays octaves on the guitar. Also, the opening notes of Gimme Gimme Some Lovin by Steve Winwood and The Spencer Davis Group are octaves.
1 to 1 is a unison, as if two guitars played the open low E string together.
1 to 2 is a Major 2nd. The first two notes of Happy Birthday are a Major 2nd apart.
1 to 3 is a Major 3rd. The sound of a doorbell going "ding dong" is the sound of 3 to 1.
1 to 4 is a Perfect Fourth. The first two notes of Here Comes the Bride are a Perfect Fourth apart.
1 to 5 is a Perfect Fifth. The first three notes of the 2001 Theme are 1, 5, 8.
1 to 6 is a Major 6th. My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean, The NBC Theme, and It Came Upon a Midnight Clear (the Christmas song) are 1 to 6.
1 to 7 is a Major 7th. the first three notes of the song Bali Hai are 1, 8, 7. Also the first three notes sung by Led Zeppelin in The Immigrant Song are 1, 8, 7.
1 to 8 is an Octave. The beginning of the song, My Sharona plays octaves on the guitar. Also, the opening notes of Gimme Gimme Some Lovin by Steve Winwood and The Spencer Davis Group are octaves.
